Valentine’s Day was not so sweet for the DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team last week. The girls traveled to Sparta, where they took on the Lady Warriors in the first round of District Tournament play. The Lady Tigers kept things close in the first period, but eventually the powerful Lady Warriors were too much for DeKalb to handle.
The Lady Tigers put 19 points on the board in the first period, with Ella VanVranken leading the way with a two-pointer, a three-pointer, and four free throw points. Her sister Chloe VanVranken came away with a three-point basket and a pair of free throws, while Madison Martin added a three-point shot of her own. Avery Agee go on the board with a couple of free throw points.
The Lady Warriors came out ready to play, putting 24 points on the scoreboard and taking the 24-19 lead.
The White County defense came on strong in the second period, holding DeKalb to just 11 points. Cam Branin sank a three-point baskets, while Chloe VanVranken, Ella VanVranken, Ella Hendrixson, and Agee each had a two-point shot.
White County piled on 23 more points, taking the 47-30 lead at the half.
The Lady Tigers seemed to get back on track in the third period, putting 21 points on the board. Ella VanVranken hit a pair of two-point shots and six free throws, while sister Chloe and Martin each had a two-point basket of their own. Agee put five free throw points on the board.
The Lady Warriors were held to just 12 points, but still claimed a 61-49 lead.
The roles would reverse in the fourth period. White County’s defense stepped up, holding DeKalb to just 13 points. Branin sank another three-point basket, while Ella VanVranken added a pair of two-point baskets. Hendrixson hit a two-point shot, while Agee and Darrah Ramsey each had a pair of free throw points.
White County would light up the scoreboard with 26 points in the fourth, with the Lady Warriors claiming the 87-62 win, ending the Lady Tigers’ season.
Ella VanVranken was top of the scoreboard for DeKalb County with 25 points. Agee had 11, while Chloe VanVranken had nine. Branin had six points, Martin five, Hendrixson had four, and Ramsey had two.
